Away

You frown as you head away from school.

Mia smiles at you. “I know your plan was to hook up with some European team and see Europe together while you made good money, but this could be just as fun.”

You smile at her. “So long as we’re together, we’ll figure it out.”

You drive for eight hours. The scenery changes to a more rural setting. You enter into what looks to be a large town. Houses with white picket fences dot the road.

*kerplunk*

Your car stalls.

“Shit. That’s not a good noise.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine. I’ve got more than enough money to repair it.”

A pickup pull up along side you.

“You folks having a problem?”

Mia chirps. “Our car broke down, is there somewhere we can get towed for repair?”

“Certainly, I’ll call Bill. He owns a garage a about a mile down.”

The man seems friendly enough, but he looks at you like you’d look at spoiled milk. You are not unhappy when he pulls away.

Ten minutes later a tow truck pulls up.

“Howdy folks. Car trouble?”

“Yes. Can you fix it?”

“Let me give you a tow and we’ll see.”

Again, he’s friendly enough, but the way he looks at you is troubling.

His shop is as close as advertised and you’re there in minutes. He puts your car on the lift. He fiddles and examines. In ten minutes he drops down.

“I can fix it, but I need a part. It’ll take a day or two to come in.”

“How much?”

“If you swing into our church, I’ll do it for cost.”

Mia smiles. “Thank you.”

“No problem, miss, it’s my duty. Besides, our preacher is glorious.”

“Is there somewhere we can stay?”

“If you’re attending church with her, the widow Blanche will set you up with a room for free. She’s three houses down.”

“Thank you.”

You walk away with Mia.

“This place is creeping me out.”

“They seem nice.”

“Watch the way they look at me, Mia.”

“You think they’re racist?”

“Let’s say I’d be scared to meet the sheriff.”

You reach the house. Mia knocks.

A surprisingly attractive woman in her mid thirties answers the door. Her eyes are blue and her blond hair sparkles in the setting sun.

“I’m Mia. Bill sent us. Our car broke down. Can we rent a room?”

“Of course. I’m Blanche. You can have the room no charge if you join me in going to services.”

Mia nods. “We’d be happy to go.”

“Oh, he doesn’t have to dear. I just need some girl company.”

“Well, ok.”

You follow Mia and Blanche to the guest room.

As soon as Blanche exits, Mia turns to you. “Ok, I see it now.”

“I just keep saying, it’s only a day.”

“What could happen?”

You hear a Blanche’s voice. “Mia, services start in ten minutes.”

“Well here goes nothing. Keep that door locked and stay safe.”